Today, on the Jewish holiday of Purim, people learn about Queen Esther, pictured here in the initial "L" of a medieval history book. According to the biblical story, Esther was a beautiful Jewish woman who concealed her religious identity to marry the King of Persia in order to protect her people from persecution. The king's evil advisor convinced him to sign a decree to kill all the Jews in the empire. Queen Esther knew it was a capital offense to appear before the king without permission. Still, she went to the throne room—and the king was so overwhelmed by her beauty that he lowered the scepter toward her and offered to give her anything she wanted. And through her act of courage, the Jews were saved. Esther is usually identified only by a crown, but here she also holds the king's scepter, symbolizing her courage and power. . . . 🏷 #GettyMuseum #Art #MedievalArt #Manuscripts #Purim #ArtHistory #Illumination